Zelda's Muses: The Women of Montgomery

The exhibition Zelda's Muses: The Women of Montgomery, presented by the Montgomery County Historical Society in collaboration with The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum and the Dixie Art Colony Foundation, illuminates the vibrant Southern world that shaped one of America's most iconic literary figures: Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald.

Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Zelda emerged from a lively circle of creative, ambitious, and influential women whose talents, friendships, and inspirations profoundly influenced her artistic journey as a writer, painter, and dancer. This exhibition delves into Zelda's deep Southern roots while spotlighting the remarkable women who served as her muses, mentors, and contemporaries-figures who challenged conventions and contributed to the cultural landscape of early 20th-century Montgomery.

Visitors will encounter a rich array of original artwork, rare photographs, personal documents, letters, and artifacts-many displayed publicly for the first time. Highlights include insights into Zelda's own family, notably her mother Minnie Buckner Machen Sayre, alongside other notable women such as artist Anne Goldthwaite and writer Sara Haardt Mencken, whose connections and creative spirits intertwined with Zelda's life and work.

Running from February 10 through April 30, 2026, at the historic Figh-Pickett House, this exhibition and its accompanying program series celebrate the enduring legacy of these trailblazing women. It invites reflection on how Montgomery's artistic and intellectual community fostered innovation and self-expression during a transformative era, offering fresh perspectives on Zelda Fitzgerald not merely as the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, but as a product of a dynamic network of talented Southern women who dared to create, inspire, and redefine their worlds.